Godon withdraws from Liberal nomination in Brandon-Souris

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This article was published 20/9/2013 (1886 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Boissevain resident Frank Godon has officially withdrawn from the race to represent the Liberal Party of Canada in the upcoming Brandon-Souris federal by-election.

The former United States marine, who first declared his intention to run two short weeks ago, announced Friday night that he was dropping his bid for the nomination due to family concerns and because he felt that his opponent, Rolf Dinsdale, was the “better candidate.”

“I am dropping out because of two main reasons,” Godon wrote in an email. “The first one is I would not be able to properly take care of my parents, especially my mother... Also I have a new immigrant wife and two small daughters who need my attention adjusting to their new life here in Canada.

“The second reason is for the Liberal Party. Without having to run a by-election this would give the last nominee, Rolf Dinsdale a better chance at beating the Conservatives.”

Boissevain resident Frank Godon has officially withdrawn from the race to represent the Liberal Party of Canada in the upcoming Brandon-Souris federal by-election.

The former United States marine, who first declared his intention to run two short weeks ago, announced Friday night that he was dropping his bid for the nomination due to family concerns and because he felt that his opponent, Rolf Dinsdale, was the "better candidate."

"I am dropping out because of two main reasons," Godon wrote in an email. "The first one is I would not be able to properly take care of my parents, especially my mother... Also I have a new immigrant wife and two small daughters who need my attention adjusting to their new life here in Canada.

"The second reason is for the Liberal Party. Without having to run a by-election this would give the last nominee, Rolf Dinsdale a better chance at beating the Conservatives."

Godon said that he and Dinsdale share similar concerns in the riding, and he decided to throw his support behind his fellow Liberal to clear the way for a speedy nomination, "so we can get on with the by-election."

Unless another candidate seeks the nomination, Dinsdale will be the acclaimed candidate.

When reached by phone, Dinsdale expressed surprise at Godon’s announcement, and disappointment that the Liberal nomination would not be contested.

"Never a dull moment in the Brandon-Souris byelection," Dinsdale said. "I was looking forward to the opportunity to be selected in a meeting... involving membersof the Liberal riding association. I was out selling memberships and feeling bullish."

Dinsdale, whose father represented Brandon-Souris as MP for more than 30 years, last month announced his intention to seek the Liberal nomination.

The date for the Liberal nomination meeting has yet to be announced.

Officially, no one has stepped forward to run for the Green Party nomination in Brandon-Souris yet. However, Marcel Roberge, the CEO of the local electoral district association for the Greens suggested Friday night that announcements are "pending."

Roberge said he expects a nomination meeting for the Green Party will be held on Oct. 9.

Labour council president Cory Szczepanski and teamster John Bouché are running to represent the NDP during its nomination on Oct. 17. The deadline for NDP applications is Oct. 7.

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